Rolex Day-Date 1803 'Arabic Guilloché'

Textured dial with Arabic Indic numerals, matched with a spectacular bracelet; all in pink gold.

This exceptional iteration is truly one of the most desirable Day-Dates ever made. What makes it so special? Starting with the textured dial, made using the age-old guilloché technique, together with the applied 18k rose gold Eastern Arabic Indic indices and matching Arabic day and date discs. This isn't the first time we come across this geometric pattern, but it is the first -and as far as we know- only time it is combined with applied Eastern Arabic numerals.

As this 1803 is a very early execution, from 1961, the dial is signed with "Swiss" only and the hands are known as "Cigarette hands". This tapered shape is only seen on the earlier Day-Dates and Datejusts. Another characteristic of this period is the finer milled bezel, with the resemblance of a coin-edge.

Over to the bracelet; you will not be disappointed. The pairing with an exceptionally rare 18k rose gold flat-link with its own engraved pattern is perfection. This interesting design is uncommon to say the least as we have encountered this construction only once before. The clasp sports a large coronet and "big logo" engraving on the inside.

Besides the (possibly Royal) Arabic influence, this Day-Date also has quite some Italian provenance. It is no surprise it previously sat in the collection of Davide Parmigiani: a renowned collector from Milan. He is considered one of the earliest and most important Day-Date aficionados. He had this watch published by a gentleman from Rome, by the name of Pucci Papaleo, in the book "The Presidential Rolex". Dubbed "The Arabian", the prominent publisher devoted multiple pages to this incredible and historically significant Day-Date.